Scientific name
Cinnamomum camphoraFamily
LauraceaeOrigin
Tree native to Asia but also cultivated in Italy.Used Parts
For the purpose of phytotherapy the resin extracted from the bark and from the branches of the tree is used.Chemical constituents
- Camphor or borneol ketone (Official Pharmacopoeia).
Camphor in Herbalist: Properties of Camphor
The pharmacological properties attributed to camphor justify its use as a fluidifier of bronchial secretions, bronchial spasmolytic, hyperemizing and antirheumatic.
Camphor is available in creams, ointments, sticks, hydroalcoholic solutions and oily solutions.
Biological activity
Camphor obtained from camphor (or camphor tree, if you prefer) has different therapeutic activities.
Locally applied, in fact, camphor is able to exert a bronchosecretolytic, rubefacient, hyperemizing, revulsive and mildly analgesic action.
When used internally, camphor is able to act at the cardiac level inducing coronary vasodilation. Furthermore, camphor causes vasodilation also in the lung, as well as exerting a spasmolytic, bronchial, slightly expectorant and carminative action. However, despite the fact that in the past camphor was widely used internally as a remedy to stimulate the cardiovascular system and the pulmonary system, currently it is preferred to use more effective and less toxic drugs.
Finally, camphor is also endowed with antiseptic and parasiticidal properties. Not surprisingly, this compound is part of the composition of different products used to defend woolen clothing from moths.
Camphor against pain and rheumatism
Thanks to the revulsive, hyperemizing, rubefacient and analgesic activity that camphor is able to exercise, his has been officially approved for the treatment of muscular, articular and rheumatic pains.
To treat these disorders, camphor is used in preparations for external use.
Preparations for topical use based on camphor can have a maximum concentration of 25% if used in adult patients (although, usually, the use of concentrations of 10% is preferred) and a maximum concentration of 5% if used in children .
Generally, it is recommended to use the product several times throughout the day and apply it directly to the affected area.
Camphor in folk medicine and in homeopathy
In folk medicine, camphor is used externally for the treatment of rheumatism.
Internally, however, camphor is used for the treatment of hypotension and digestive disorders. Furthermore, traditional medicine uses camphor as a remedy - both internal and external - to counteract inflammation of the respiratory tract.
In Indian medicine, on the other hand, camphor is used in the treatment of disorders such as asthma, muscle pain and heart failure.
Camphor is also used in homeopathic medicine, where it can be found in the form of granules and oral drops. In this context, camphor is used in case of colds, asthma, fainting due to lowering of blood pressure, palpitations and collapse.
The dose of homeopathic remedy to be taken can vary from one individual to another, also depending on the type of disorder to be treated and the type of homeopathic preparation and dilution that is to be used.
Side effects
Following application of preparations for external use based on camphor, skin irritations and contact dermatitis may occur.
Contraindications
Avoid the use of camphor in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components.
Furthermore, the use of camphor is also contraindicated in newborns, pregnant women and breastfeeding.
Pharmacological Interactions
Prolonged use of camphor, even through the skin, can lead to systemic absorption and interactions, at the CNS level, with psychiatric drugs.
Warnings
Camphor should be used at concentrations up to 10%, on limited body surfaces and for treatments not prolonged over time (see drug interactions). Moreover, in children under the age of two years it is associated with a possible risk of laryngospasm and convulsions.
